FF-12-2019

PROCLAMATION

RE: AMERICAN SHAD AND HICKORY SHAD - COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL RESTRICTIONS AND TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF RULES

This proclamation supersedes proclamation FF-56-2018 (REVISED), dated December 19, 2018. It makes it unlawful to harvest American shad and hickory shad for recreational purposes by any method except hook and line, effective 12:01 A.M. April 15, 2019. It maintains commercial season restrictions and recreational creel limits.

Stephen W. Murphey, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Monday, April 15, 2019 the following restrictions will apply to the taking of American shad and hickory shad:

I. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF RULES

A. The following portion of N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03M .0519 is suspended:
Paragraphs (a) and (b) which read:

(a) It is unlawful to take American shad and hickory shad by any method except hook-and-line from April 15 through December 31.
(b) It is unlawful to possess more than ten (10) American shad or hickory shad, in the aggregate, per person per day taken by hook and line or for recreational purposes.

B. The following portion of N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03Q .0107 is suspended:
Paragraph (4) which reads:

(4) Shad: It is unlawful to possess more than 10 American shad or hickory shad, in the aggregate, per person per day taken by hook-and-line.

II. HARVEST RESTRICTIONS-COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES

A. ALBEMARLE, CROATAN, ROANOKE, AND CURRITUCK SOUNDS AND TRIBUTARIES

1. It is unlawful to possess American shad or hickory shad for commercial purposes.
2. It is unlawful to possess American shad or hickory shad for recreational purposes by any method except hook and line.
3. It is unlawful to possess more than ten (10) American shad or hickory shad in the aggregate, per person per day and only one (1) of the ten (10) may be an American shad.

B. BAY AND NEUSE RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES

1. It is unlawful to possess American shad or hickory shad for commercial purposes.
2. It is unlawful to possess American shad or hickory shad for recreational purposes by any method except hook and line.
3. It is unlawful to possess more than ten (10) American shad or hickory shad in the aggregate, per person per day and only one (1) of the ten (10) may be an American shad.

C. PAMLICO SOUND, PAMLICO AND PUNGO RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES

1. It is unlawful to possess American shad and hickory shad for commercial purposes.
2. It is unlawful to possess American shad or hickory shad for recreational purposes by any method except hook and line
3. It is unlawful to possess more than ten (10) American shad or hickory shad, in the aggregate, per person per day taken.

D. CAPE FEAR RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES

1. It is unlawful to possess American shad or hickory shad for commercial purposes.
2. It is unlawful to possess American shad or hickory shad for recreational purposes by any method except hook and line.
3. It is unlawful to possess more than ten (10) American shad or hickory shad in the aggregate, per person per day and only five (5) of the ten (10) may be an American shad.

E. ALL OTHER INTERNAL COASTAL AND JOINT FISHING WATERS

1. It is unlawful to possess American shad or hickory shad for commercial purposes.
2. It is unlawful to possess American shad or hickory shad for recreational purposes by any method except hook and line.
3. It is unlawful to possess more than ten (10) American shad or hickory shad, in the aggregate, per person per day.

F. ATLANTIC OCEAN

1. It is unlawful to possess hickory shad for commercial purposes.
2. It is unlawful to possess hickory shad for recreational purposes by any method except hook and line.
3. It is unlawful to possess more than ten (10) hickory shad per person per day.